A visit with Jed & Jonty from Owned by the Sea by LM Somerton

“Marmite, stop slobbering over the nice man. He doesn’t have any food for you, he’s here to ask Jonty and me a few questions about our new book.”

Marmite gave his owner an aggrieved look before spreading out on the floor, tail thudding.

“We’ll go to Kelly’s later, okay?”

Marmite snuffled his approval. A ball of white fluff approached him and they rubbed noses.

“You keep an eye on Doodle.”

Marmite curled around the puppy who settled against him, just as Jed pulled Jonty close, a protective arm around his shoulders.

“So, Parker…what would you like to know?”

“I wanted to ask Jonty where he gets the inspiration for his paintings.” Parker held twitchy fingers over his keyboard.

A pink flush stained Jonty’s cheekbones. “Wouldn’t you rather talk about lifeboat heroes or something?” He leaned against Jed’s much bigger frame.

“Nuh uh. My readers want to know about you.” Parker blinked.

Jonty licked his lips. “Well, I kind of get lost in my surroundings. The light is so perfect here in Cornwall, so clear. Everywhere I turn an entire palette of colour is right there and I just want to get it on canvas. Does that make sense?” He turned to gaze at Jed as if seeking reassurance. Jed bent down, planting a firm kiss on Jonty’s lips.

“And what will your next work be?”

“I’m…um…trying my hand at a nude portrait series.”

It was Jed’s turn to blush.

“Mind me asking who the subject is?” Parker fidgeted in his seat, not wanting to assume anything.

Marmite hauled himself to his feet nudging a sleepy Doodle into action.

“We’ll all be at Kelly’s tonight if the boat’s not out too late. Join us. Though I’m not promising you an answer to that last question.” Jed winked and Jonty giggled.

They left the Crusty Crab in a disorganised procession to a chorus of goodbyes from the locals. Parker was tempted to follow but there was a bowl of vinegar soaked chips on the table in front of him needing his attention.

Talented young artist Jonty Trelawn paints the sea as self-inflicted punishment. For almost a year he has hidden away from life, survivor’s guilt consuming him, but the time has come to move on. He conceives the idea of a charity art auction in support of the local lifeboat station and the men and women who saved his life. He hopes the tribute to his family will release him from the sea’s invisible chains.

Carpenter Jed Curnow is bound to the water in a different way. As deputy coxswain of the Govenek, the local lifeboat, his world revolves around the close-knit crew. He thinks nothing of risking his life to save others. Saving Jonty is less dangerous but just as important to him. He wants nothing more than to give Jonty the love and security he needs.

Jed’s dominant personality calls to Jonty’s more submissive nature but will he ever allow himself to be happy? It’s up to Jed and his best friend Marmite to help Jonty put his tragic past behind him and live for the future.

Bio

LM lives in a small village in the English countryside, surrounded by rolling hills, cows and sheep. She started writing to fill time between jobs and is now firmly and unashamedly addicted.

She loves the English weather, especially the rain, and adores a thunderstorm. She loves good food, warm company and a crackling fire. She’s fascinated by the psychology of relationships, especially between men, and her stories contain some subtle (and some not so subtle) leanings towards BDSM.

LM is winner of the National Leather Association’s Pauline Reage Award for best novel and the 2016 Golden Flogger Award for best BDSM novel in the LGBT category. She has received multiple Honorable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards and won the Action and Adventure category of Divine Magazine’s Book Awards in 2015. You can track her down online here: